Piano-action.



PAVTENTED SEPT. 1, 1903.

A. A. BARTHBLMBS.

PIANO ACTION.

APPLICATION TILED SEPT. 27. 1902.

N0 HODEL.

Patented September 1, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER AUGUST BARTHELMES, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

PIANO-ACTION.

iPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 737,565, datedSeptember 1, 1903.

Application filed September 27,1902. Serial No. 125,025. (No model.)

To a whom it vita/y concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER AUGUST BARTHELMES, of the city of Toronto,in the county of York and Province of Ontario,

lanada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inPiano-Actions; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention is applicable to piano-actions of the type known asupright actions, and relates particularly to improvements in the mannerof incorporating the rapid repeating qualities of the grand piano, whichis simple, effective, and more efficient in use than those previouslydevised.

The essential features of this invention are the independent flexibleconnections or loops and the manner of making the same fast to theaction. Heretofore the flexible connection has been made permanentlyfast to some portion of theaction or to some form of an additionalsupport or secondary rail, in which event should the flexible connectionfail or break the same can only be replaced in the first instance byrenewing a portion of the action of which the same is an integral partand in the latter instance by stripping a considerable portion of theaction to allow of the loop being made fast.

To such ends my invention consists in the construction and combinationof parts, as hereinafter particularly described and claimed, referencebeing bad to the accompanying drawings, in which similar figures ofreference refer to like parts throughout.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a piano-action in whichisembodied the mechanism for attaining the rapid repeating effect. Fig. 2is a similar view showing the position the parts assume when the key ispartially released after being depressed, in which position the jack isin readiness for another stroke, and illustrated in dotted lines is theposition the jack would assume heretofore when operating rapidly withoutthe mechanism for attaining the rapid repeating effect. Fig. 3 is adetail view of the jack, showing the jack -spring and opening in thejack through which operates the flexible connection. Fig. 4 is a view indetail of a portion of the metal flange upon which operates thehammer-butts and showing the perforations therein for the reception ofthe flexible counections. Fig. 5 is a View of the independent flexibleloop for connecting the jackspring with the flange, and Fig. 6 is a viewof a wooden flange adapted-for the reception of the flexible loop.

To illustrate the present invention, in the drawings is represented anordinary standard action having embodied my improved mechanism forattaining the rapid repeating effect of which the parts directlycontiguous with said improvement are hereinafter numerated,namely: 1designates the main rail; 2, the wippen, on which are carried the jack3, the regulating-button 4, the hammer-butt 5, and flange 6, such partsbeing of the usual construction and arrangement.

In carrying out the present invention I dis pense with the use of anyadditional feature, such as an auxiliary or supplemental rail, and,furthermore, in the construction of the action no material change ismade, this being a decided advantage, costing less to equip than variousexpedients that have been devised for a similar purpose.

The essential features comprise a jackspring 7, terminating at one endin a coil 8, wherein it is made fast to the jack 3 in the usual mannerin a recess provided for the purpose, while the upper or, opposite endof the spring is bent to form a hook 9, with which is connected one endof the flexible loop 10, said flexible loop or connection adapted tooperate freely and unobstructed through the opening 11 in the jack andmade fast at its opposite end in the flange (i.

In the flange (3 or the projections thereof, upon which are pivoted theham mer-butts, are small apertures 12, coinciding with the openings l1and in line with the jack-springs 7, of sufficient diameter to admit theflexible loop 10, so that it can be inserted and drawn through until theknot 13 tied therein is reached, which owing to the increase in size andthe limited diameter of the opening 12 is prevented from drawing outthrough the same.

The-advantages arising from this construction and arrangement are thatthe flexible loop can be removed and replaced when broken or otherwiseinjured independently and Without disturbing the action, which is adesideratnm. Further, such construction makes it possible to employeither the metal or wooden flange and secure the flexible loop thereinand not depart from the spirit of the invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. In a piano-action, a flexible connection comprising a loop having aknot formed therein, a jack-spring carried on the jack, and a flange onthe action-rail perforated for the reception of theloop of said flexibleconnection, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

ALEXANDER AUGUST BARTHELMES.

Witnesses:

H. DIXON, STANLEY J. PALMER.

